Treasurer Kim Wells has pitched his second budget as "tough but responsible," with revenue forecasts over the next four years to be $8.3 billion lower than predicted in late 2010 because of external economic shocks.

"We are in very very tough financial times," declares Victorian Treasurer Kim Wells upon discussing the State Budget on Statewide Drive.

"The issue is that we have to live within our means - we can no longer continue to just keep on putting things on the credit card and keep on racking up debt."

When asked if the government would increase the amount of revenue taken from GST , Treasurer Wells says "...we have lost 6.1 billion dollars in GST."

Education

Mary Bluett, Victorian president of the Australian Education Union says over 300 million dollars will be cut from public TAFE, and that it will have an impact in terms of the courses offered.

"...It's a very very dark day for public TAFE in particular," she says.

She also says the amount of money announced for the continued rebuilding and maintenance of schools in Victoria is far below that was required and desired by the sector.

"Eighty per cent of principals indicate they have large maintenance needs. What was needed in this term of government to continue the rebuilding program was 1.7 billion dollars - this government will struggle to spend 0.3 of a billion... We really were hoping to get out of this budget a committment to this rebuilding program."

Public Transport

Paul Westcott, regional spokesperson for the Public Transport USers Association says although the announcement of 30 new train carriages is good news, over-all there's not much for regional Victorian public transport users to be happy about when it comes to the amount of money allocated towards regional public transport.

"Well, for regional public transport it's prety meagre pickings, apart from the headline item, which has already been announced... and that's the 30 new or rough;ly 30 new carriages for V-Line servies that are going to be delivered over the next few years."

"There's bits and pieces, but nothing major - the re-opening of Talbot station, which is on the line from Ballarat to Maryborough... some increased services to Wendouree in Ballarat, some La Trobe Valley gbus serviecs being increased, and the other thing is Myki will not be introduced on V-Line until July next year at the earliest."

Farmers

Peter Tuohey, President of the Victorian Farmers Federation, says "...it's not a terrific budget for farmers."

The State government will not be renewing money for the Centre of Farm Health but Mr. Tuohey says although it is '...very unfortunate..' he knows '...it was a very limited budget and tough calls had to be made.'

He says he would like the government to focus on profitability and productivity issues that surround farming.

Environment

Environment Victoria Campaigns Director, Mark Wakeham, says there has been some money spent on water management and efficiency, but overall he describes the State budget as 'really disappointing'.

Some election commitments such as storm water re-use and water recycling have been included in the funding, but Mark Wakeham says Environment Victoria is worried that money for solar power and water and energy efficiently in Victorian homes has been left out.

Local Government

The Coalition Government's second budget would be cautiously welcomed by regional and rural local governments, Municipal Association of Victoria spokesperson Brian MacArthur says.

Cr Bill McArthur says the budget delivered additional funding for core community services, but had also cut a major plan to help council deal with the impact on carbon tax - the $20 million green lights program.

"Certainly the continuation of the Rural and Regional Infrastructure Program was critical to the regional local governments and that is certainly in the budget - untouched - so that is a bonus, but we're disappointed to see there is no state infrastructure plan to back that up," Cr McArthur says.

Cr McArthur says the budget would help councils avoid driving up rates but admitted there were budget pressures coming from many directions.

Roads and motorways

Brian Negus, General Manager of RACV, highlights funding given towards the Kooweerup bypass, with 66 million dollars dedicated.

The Western Highway has received a $42 million allocation for the duplication between Buangor and Beaufort, creating a four lanes highway.

Ballarat's Western link road is also getting a cut for improvements along with a number of others roads and train lines in regional Victoria.

Mr. Negus says "Although this is a tough budget this spend in regional Victoria is certainly welcome."

Victorian Employers' Chamber of CommerceSteven Wojtkiw, Chief Economist with Victorian Employers' Chamber of Commerce and Industry says among the announcements today "...some money has been freed up for work cover premium relief...".

The other pluses Mr. Wojtkiw mentions include manufacturing support initiatives and a "...solid skills package to boost apprenticeships and training..."

When ask what he sees for the future he said the carbon tax brings uncertainty. Additionally, he says because there is uncertainty in global markets - Victoria continues to be a difficult marketplace.